MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chubut satellite control system for coastal fishing vessels

The satellite monitoring system provides an 'anti-panic alert system' in case of emergency

Argentine Patagonia province Chubut will launch a satellite control programme for artisanal fishing vessels operating along its coasts similar to that used for land transport. The initiative is part of a “certification process” so that produce can be marked by origin and classified according to zones.

Eduardo Mota, head of Chubut's Fisheries Department Innovative Technologies Secretariat said the overall goal is a sustainable fishery for the province. The first leg of the monitoring program will cover vessels positioned in the Gulf of San Jose. Another plus according to Mota is that the system introduces an "anti-panic alert system" from the moment that whenever facing emergency, coastal vessels will be able to send signals and warn the Argentine Coast Guard or the Fisheries Department. The system will also provide relevant information to the Fisheries Department and allow controllers to define fisheries areas for catching. "The data accumulation process will enable to determine areas and times of the year when fishing is more profitable for coastal vessels". Scientists from the National Patagonia Centre can rely on more precise catch level data in each area monitored by satellite, which is essential for their research work, said Mota according to The Fishmall. "The program was started last November and we have almost completed the set up in the area of the Gulf of San Jose. Once all the system is in place and training completed, we will begin to sign contracts with the different companies involved with the service", indicated Mota who added that the actual mounting of the equipment in the vessels "takes less than an hour". Additional costs of the contracted services or if artisanal fishing vessels can't cope with the bills will be met with funds from Chubut's Fisheries Department. (FIS/MP).-